Break the rules, go wild & touch a jelly creature

Phyllis A.S. Boros

Published 2:56 pm, Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Everyone who visits the Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk, as of Jan. 18, will have the opportunity to do something that parents have warned against for eons: touch the jellies (without getting stung).
Photo: Contributed Photo

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Growing up, children are given a lot of "do nots." For example: Do not talk to strangers, do not play with your food -- and never, never, never touch a jellyfish at the beach.

Sage advice, of course, especially regarding the jellies. And why is that? Because some jellies sting -- causing enormous pain.

But the Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk means to free us all from that life-long prohibition. Beginning Saturday, Jan. 18, adults and children can go toe-to-toe (or more precisely, finger to bell or sac) with moon jellies for a touchy-feely encounter.

"Most people who have seen jellyfish at the beach have gone out of their way to avoid them, to give them a very wide berth," said Judith Bacal, the aquarium's exhibits director. "We're offering this exhibit to demonstrate that there are jellyfish that you can touch without being stung."

"Think of them like mushrooms," he said, laughing. "Some mushrooms -- like the ones sold at grocery stores -- are yummy and good for you. Then there are mushrooms in the wild that are so poisonous that they can kill you."

In the aquarium's touch tank will be a selection of moon jellies, considered among the most common species in Long Island Sound. Moon jellies have tentacles, but their stings are generally harmless to people, Sigworth explained.

The special "hands-on" exhibit of jellies will be open near the aquarium's Jellyfish Culture Lab on weekends and holidays through April 2, and also daily during school vacation weeks Feb. 17-21 and April 14-18. Should the exhibit prove popular with visitors, its run may be extended.

The exhibit explains that moon jellies (Aurelia aurita) "are common in ... the Atlantic Ocean, growing to dinner-plate size during the warmth of summer. Short tentacles rim their bell, and four `oral arms' extend underneath. Moon jellies are colorless and translucent, except for four central horseshoe-shaped reproductive organs."

Despite its name, "Jiggle a Jelly," the exhibit of creatures (they're not fish) requires a gentle touch, Sigworth said.

"Aquarium volunteers will offer expert guidance at the exhibit, encouraging visitors to use two fingers to gently touch the top of (its) gelatinous body, or `bell,' " he said.

Because of their delicate nature, the moon jellies require a "gentle current" and a special filtration system that does not create bubbles (which can get caught in their bells).

Although many types of jellies have been "cultured" (raised) at the aquarium year-round for the past 19 years, this is the first time that a jelly touch tank has been created.

Sigworth said that the aquarium's collection includes moon jellies, sea nettles, lion's mane and other live species of jellyfish -- and continues to be among the most popular exhibit at the facility.

"Jellies in their various life stages in the Jellyfish Culture Lab let visitors see how the aquarium keeps a year-round supply of the seasonal creatures on exhibit," he said.

A plastic bag full of water is the way Sigworth describes the bell's texture.

"Although the exhibit doesn't officially open until the weekend, we've been letting people touch them, as sort of a `wet' run. It seems like everyone is willing to give it a try. It's good that they believe us when we say it won't hurt," added Sigworth.